Krista Malley selected as AP of the Year

Krista Malley selected as AP of the Year
Director for Student Success Krista Malley is recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Administrative Professional Award.

As Director for Student Success Krista Malley has always been focused on OU students and their success, but this year it is her success that is being celebrated on campus as recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Administrative Professional Award.

“We have made great strides in student success with Krista’s contributions and leadership in the Office of Student Success,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost James P. Lentini. “She has been a catalyst for positive programming implementation, been a leader and advocate for our Student Success Conference and this award marks well-deserved recognition for her contributions on campus.”

Malley follows in the footsteps of Laura Schartman from the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, who was named AP of the Year for 2017.  

The AP Assembly is also very familiar with Malley’s work as she is a past president of the organization. Current AP Assembly president Stephanie Willis said of Malley’s selection, “The committee was unanimous when it reviewed this year’s entries that Krista would be the perfect choice. She had an amazing nine nominations from a diverse group of nominators from around campus and those letters of recommendation provided overwhelming evidence of the impact she makes on so many areas of OU life.”

Associate Professor of Philosophy Mark Navin said in his nomination, “I have been consistently impressed by Krista’s passion, creativity and dedication she brings to her work promoting student success. She possesses an unmatched combination of technical knowledge, political skill, financial prudence and ethical orientation.”

Director of Annual Giving Kelly Brault summed it up this way in her nomination, “Krista embodies our number one strategic goal as a university – student success.” Brault also cited Malley’s leadership of the Student Success Conference, help in elevating the Second Year Experience and work in supporting the Comeback Scholarship.

“Krista has a deep devotion in ensuring students succeed,” added Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions John Meldrum. “She works tirelessly in collaborating with academic advising units and academic affairs in breaking down barriers so that students persist and graduate.”

Throughout her time at OU, Malley has been selected for numerous awards and honors. Most recently, she was the alumni commencement speaker for the graduate ceremony in 2016, employee of the month for September 2016, named Inspiring Faculty award in 2015, the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Outstanding New Adviser in 2015, adviser of the month in May 2014, Michigan Academic Advising Association Best in Show award winner in 2014, academic adviser of the month in February and May 2013 and recognized by The Global Community for Academic Advising for her work in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Malley’s higher education career spans more than 20 years. She joined OU as the director for the Academic Skills Center in 2009, was assistant dean for student services at OUWB, was an academic adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences before gaining additional responsibilities and helping establish the Office of Student Success under the direction of Academic Affairs.

A resident of Leonard, Malley earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Northern Michigan University, a master’s degree of education in college student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Oakland University.


Malley was formally honored as this year’s award winner at the Exemplary Employee Award Recognition and Celebration on Thursday, April 19 in the David E. Herman Room of the University Recreation Center.

Krista Malley wins AP Award
Krista Malley was overcome with emotion when told she had been named AP of the year.